Housing for an electric appliance

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a housing, in particular for an electric appliance, having a housing part ( 1 ) with a noncircular cross section closed by a detachable housing bottom ( 3 ). The housing bottom ( 3 ) includes an outer bottom ( 4 ) and an inner bottom ( 5 ) mounted for rotation in the outer bottom ( 4 ). In a closed condition, the inner bottom ( 5 ), the housing part ( 1 ) and the outer bottom ( 4 ) are joined together in particular by positive engagement.

This is a continuation of International Application PCT/EP98/03886,co-pending, with an International filing date of Jun. 25, 1998.

This invention relates to a housing, in particular for an electricappliance, having a housing part with a noncircular cross section closedby a detachable housing bottom.

Cylindrical housing parts closed by a circular housing bottom with athread or the like are already known. To open the housing part thehousing bottom is first transferred into an open state by the userturning it and is then removed from the housing part. In the case of anelectric appliance, for example, the user can then replace emptybatteries.

In the case of noncircular housing parts, other devices are known withwhich the likewise noncircular housing bottom is detachably fastened tothe housing part. For example, the housing bottom can be inserted in thehousing part and locked there. Inserting and locking the housing bottomin this way is often associated with difficulties for the user,particularly when compared to the simple operation of screwing thehousing bottom in and out as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this realization, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a housing with a noncircular housing part, having ahousing bottom which is easy to open and close by a user.

In a housing of the type initially referred to, this object isaccomplished in accordance with the invention in that the housing bottomis comprised of an outer bottom and an inner bottom rotatably mounted inthe outer bottom.

With the aid of the rotatable inner bottom the housing bottom can beopened and closed by the user in simple manner. The complicatedinsertion of the housing bottom in the housing part is unnecessary.Thanks to the invention the user is thus able to handle the noncircularhousing bottom in the same way in which he is accustomed with a circularhousing bottom. The opening and closing of the housing part to replacebatteries, for example, is thus made far simpler and hence easier forthe user.

In an advantageous further aspect of the invention, the outer contour ofthe outer bottom has roughly the inner contour of the housing part'snoncircular cross section. The outer bottom forming an outer surface ofthe housing has the job of covering that opening in the housing partwhich needs to be closed. It is not the job of the outer bottom to lockwith the housing part or to turn. Hence the outer bottom can beparticularly well adapted to the housing part.

In a further advantageous configuration of the invention the outerbottom has a circular opening into which the inner bottom extends, andthe outer contour of the inner bottom has roughly the inner contour ofthe circular opening in the outer bottom. Hence the opening in the outerbottom is filled by the inner bottom. On the whole, the outer surface inthe area of the housing bottom is thus formed by the outer bottom andthe emerging projection of the inner bottom. In this emerging projectionthe inner bottom is provided, for example, with a slot or the like. Thisslot enables the user to turn the inner bottom in simple manner,transferring the entire housing bottom from a closed state into an openstate.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention in the closed state theinner bottom, the housing part and the outer bottom are joined togetherin particular by positive engagement. This represents a simple butsecure way to fasten the housing bottom in the housing part. Said closedstate can be effected by the user turning the inner bottom and thusestablishing the positive engagement relationship. In the open statethere is no positive engagement, making it possible for the housingbottom to be removed from the housing part.

Particularly conveniently, the inner bottom has at least one arm whichcooperates with a cutout or the like in the interior of the housing partinto which the arm engages in the closed state, and furthermore theinner bottom has at least one arm which cooperates with a frame or thelike on the outer bottom into which the arm engages in the closed state.These arrangements can be implemented in the design in simple manner yetguarantee a secure positive engagement relationship and hence a durablefastening of the housing bottom in the housing part.

In an advantageous further aspect of the invention the inner bottom, inparticular at least one of the arms of the inner bottom, and the housingpart are equipped with locking means, particularly with a nose and acooperating groove. Locking of the inner bottom in the closed state isthus achieved in simple manner. Consequently, the inner bottom is unableto turn by itself into the open state, and the housing bottom is henceunable to detach itself from the housing part without the user'sintervention.

In yet another advantageous aspect of the invention a seal is positionedbetween the housing part and the outer bottom and/or a seal is placedbetween the outer bottom and the inner bottom. These seals, preferablymade of an elastomer material, prevent the ingress of water and/or dirtinto the interior of the housing. Suitably, the seals can either beinserted between the components identified or be fitted to at least oneof said components in a two-component injection molding process.

In this arrangement it proves an advantage for at least one of the sealsto be joined to the housing part and/or to the outer bottom and/or tothe inner bottom in a two-component injection molding process.

Finally, there is the advantageous possibility of covering cutouts inthe housing part from the outside by a layer of elastomer, the layerbeing joined to the housing part in a two-component injection moldingprocess.

Further features, application possibilities and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the subsequent descriptionof embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures ofthe accompanying drawing. It will be understood that any single featureand any combination of single features described or represented byillustration form the subject-matter of the present invention,irrespective of their summary in the patent claims or theirback-reference, as well as irrespective of their wording andrepresentation in the description and the drawing, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a housing bottom of an embodimentof a housing of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the e housing ofFIG. 1, taken along the plane II—II of FIG. 4;

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the housing of FIG.1, taken along the plane III—III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1,taken along the plane IV—IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1, takenalong the plane V—V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1, takenalong the plane VI—VI of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 1 inaccordance with FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 7 show a housing part 1 of a housing intended for use inparticular as the housing of an electric appliance. The housing part 1(housing piston) is shaped like a cylinder but has a noncircular crosssection. The housing part 1 is intended, for example, to accommodate oneor more batteries, which are then arranged in longitudinal directioninside the housing part 1.

At its free end the housing part 1 has an opening 2 with anapproximately oval inner contour filled by a housing bottom 3. It willbe understood, of course, that the inner contour of the opening 2 doesnot have to be a regular oval but can be any shape, includingasymmetrical. The housing bottom 3 is arranged approximately transverseto the longitudinal direction and is detachably connected to the housingpart 1. In a closed state the housing bottom 3 covers the opening 2 inthe housing part 1, thus closing the housing part 1. In an open statethe housing bottom 3 can be removed from the housing part 1 inparticular with the aid of a helical compression spring or the like. Theinterior of the housing part 1 is thus accessible and it is possible totake out the batteries, for example, accommodated inside.

The housing bottom 3 has an outer bottom 4 (outer wall section) and aninner bottom 5 (inner wall section). The outer bottom 4 is arranged soas to be approximately flush with the free end of the housing part 1,forming an outer surface of the housing part 1 and the housing. Theinner bottom 5 is positioned on that side of the housing part 1 facingthe interior.

The outer contour of the outer bottom 4 is of an approximately ovalconfiguration corresponding essentially to the oval inner contour of theopening 2. Disposed between the outer bottom 4 and the housing part 1 isan elastomer seal 6 which either is inserted between the componentsidentified or is molded to one said components by a two-componentinjection molding process.

The outer bottom 4 has a circular opening 7 at roughly the point ofintersection of the longest and the shortest dimension of theapproximately oval area formed by the outer bottom 4. The inner bottom 5extends with a circular projection 8 into this opening 7. The outercontour of the projection 8 essentially matches the inner contour of theopening 7. Arranged between the outer bottom 4 and the projection 8 ofthe inner bottom 5 is an elastomer seal 9 which either is insertedbetween the components identified or is molded to one of said componentsby a two-component injection molding process.

The inner bottom 5 is rotatably mounted with its projection 8 in theopening 7 and hence in the outer bottom 4. The axis of rotation isarranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of thehousing part 1. The outer bottom 4 is displaceable together with theinner bottom 5 in longitudinal direction inside the housing part 1. Inparticular it is possible for the outer bottom 4 to be detached togetherwith the inner bottom 5 from the housing part 1 for removal. Similarly,the inner bottom 5 with its projection 8 is displaceable in longitudinaldirection in the opening 7 of the outer bottom 4.

The inner bottom 5 has two arms 10 that are arranged approximatelytransverse to the longitudinal direction of the housing part 1 and inapproximately opposite directions and which extend towards those innerwalls of the housing part 1 that are spaced a smaller relative distance.These inner walls contain two cutouts 11 extending to the outside andcooperating with the two arms 10. The arms 10 and the cutouts 11 areconstructed so that in the closed state each of the arms 10 engages inits corresponding cutout 11, establishing a positive engagementrelationship therewith. In this way the inner bottom 5 is securelyconnected to the housing part 1 in the closed state.

In addition to this, the inner bottom has two arms 12 that are arrangedapproximately transverse to the longitudinal direction of the housingpart 1 and in approximately opposite directions and which extend towardsthose inner walls of the housing part 1 that are spaced a greaterrelative distance. Projecting into the interior of the housing part 1from the outer bottom 4 are two essentially U-shaped frames 13 whichcooperate with the two arms 12. The arms 12 and the frames 13 areconstructed so that in the closed state each of the arms 12 engages inits corresponding frame 13, establishing a positive-engagementrelationship therewith. In this way the outer bottom 4 is securelyconnected to the inner bottom 5 and hence similarly securely to thehousing part 1 in the closed state.

The four arms 10 and 12 are arranged in alternation at an angle of about90 degrees to each other. The respective cutouts 11 and frames 13 areconstructed so that the arms 10, 12 can pass from the described closedstate into the open state. In the open state the arms 10 lie outside thecutouts 11 and the arms 12 lie outside the frames 13. The closed stateis shown in particular in FIG. 4 and the open state in FIG. 7.

A slot 14 is formed on the outside of the projection 8 of the innerbottom 5 emerging through the opening 7. A coin or the like can beinserted in this slot 14 and be used to turn the inner bottom 5 throughan angle of about 45 degrees from the open state into the closed stateand vice versa. It will be appreciated that profiles of some other shapecan also be used instead of the slot 14.

One of the arms 10 of the inner bottom 5 is provided with a nose 15 forcooperation with a groove 16 provided in the corresponding cutout 11 ofthe housing part 1. In the closed state the nose 15 engages in thegroove 16. The inner bottom 5 is thus locked in the closed state. Itwill be understood, of course, that it is also possible for both arms 10to be equipped with such noses 15 and corresponding grooves 16 and/orfor the arms 12 and frames 13 to be equipped with locking means of thistype.

On the outside of the housing part 1 the cutouts 11 are covered with anelastomer layer 17 which is joined to the housing part 1 in atwo-component injection molding process, for example. The elastomerlayer 17 improves the grip of the housing part 1. It will be understoodthat it is also possible to substitute outwardly closed recesses in theinner wall of the housing part 1 for the cutouts 11.

We claim:
 1. An electric appliance housing, comprising a housing portionhaving a noncircular cross-section closed by a detachable housing wallsection, wherein said housing wall section comprises an outer wallsection having an aperture and an inner wall section rotatably mountedin the outer wall section, wherein a portion of the inner wall isaccessible through the aperture in the outer wall section and isrotatable by a user from a region external said outer wall section whensaid housing wall section is in an attached condition to the housingportion.
 2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the outer wall section hasan outer peripheral contour having a shape corresponding to an innercontour of said housing portion.
 3. The housing of claim 1, wherein theouter wall section has a circular opening into which the inner wallsection extends, and the inner wall section has an outer contour portionhaving a shape corresponding to an inner contour of said circularopening.
 4. The housing of claim 1, wherein in a closed condition theinner wall section, the housing portion, and the outer wall section areinterengaged.
 5. The housing of claim 4, wherein the inner wall sectioncomprises at least one arm cooperating with a recess on an interior ofthe housing portion into which the arm engages in the closed condition.6. The housing of claim 5, wherein the housing portion further comprisesan elastomeric layer formed on an exterior surface thereof in registerwith the recess, the layer being joined to the housing portion in atwo-component injection molding process.
 7. The housing of claim 4,wherein the inner wall section comprises at least one arm cooperatingwith a frame disposed on the outer wall section into which the armengages in the closed condition.
 8. The housing of claim 1, wherein theinner wall section and the housing portion comprise a respectivelatching structure and cooperating latch-receiving region.
 9. Thehousing of claim 8, wherein the latching structure further comprises aprotuberance formed on the inner wall section and the latch-receivingregion comprises a detent formed on the housing portion.
 10. The housingof claim 1, further comprising at least one seal disposed between saidouter wall section and at least one of adjacent said housing portion andsaid inner wall section.
 11. The housing as claimed in claim 10,characterized in that said at least one seal is formed betweenrespective components in a two-component injection molding process. 12.The housing of claim 1, wherein the housing wall section forms a majorlateral wall of the appliance housing.
 13. The housing of claim 1,wherein the inner wall section extends through the outer wall section toan external surface thereof.
 14. The housing of claim 1, wherein theinner wall section define s on a surface accessible through the outerwall section a gripping feature to facilitate manipulation of the innerwall.
 15. The housing of claim 1, wherein the inner wall section isfixedly rotatably mounted to the outer wall.
 16. A housing for anelectric appliance, comprising p1 a housing portion defining a cavitytherein and an aperture communicating with said cavity, a detachablewall section detachably mountable by a user within the aperture to thehousing portion, said detachable wall section comprising an outer wallportion in register with the aperture for occluding the aperture, and aninner wall portion movably mounted to the outer wall portion, wherebythe outer wall portion is retained to the housing portion upon a usermoving the inner wall portion relative to the housing portion and theouter wall portion.
 17. The housing of claim 16, wherein the inner wallportion is movable between a first position permitting mounting of theouter wall portion and a second position blocking detachment of theouter wall portion.
 18. The housing of claim 16, wherein the inner wallportion and the housing portion further comprise thereon first andsecond cooperating latch structure, the inner wall portion being movableto a latching position to retain the outer wall portion to the housingportion.
 19. The housing of claim 18, wherein the first latch structurecomprises at least one arm extending from the inner wall portion and thesecond latch structure comprises latch-receiving structure formed on thehousing portion and having at least one recess into which the arm ismovable.
 20. The housing of claim 16, wherein the inner wall portion isrotationally mounted to the outer wall portion.
 21. The housing of claim16, wherein the aperture is noncircular.
 22. The housing of claim 21,wherein the aperture substantially intersects an oval.
 23. The housingof claim 21, wherein the aperture is symmetric about a dividing linethrough the aperture.
 24. The housing of claim 16, wherein the outerwall portion is non-rotatably received in the aperture.
 25. The housingof claim 16, wherein the outer wall portion has an exterior shape suchthat the detachable wall section in mounted condition continues anexterior surface of the housing portion adjacent the aperture.
 26. Thehousing of claim 16, wherein the detachable wall section furthercomprises a flexible seal inhibiting entry of moisture or contaminantsinto the cavity.
 27. The housing of claim 16, wherein the cavity in thehousing portion is a battery compartment.
 28. A method of selectivelyclosing a component-receiving cavity of an electrical appliance housing,comprising the steps of: defining an aperture in the housing incommunication with the cavity, providing a detachable wall sectioncomprising an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion movablymounted on the outer wall portion, inserting the outer wall portion intothe aperture in register with the housing with the inner wall portionbeing in a first position, moving the inner wall portion relative theouter wall portion and the housing from the first position to a secondposition, and engaging, while moving, the inner wall portion with thehousing, thereby sealing the component-receiving cavity with thedetachable wall section.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein theengaging step further includes latching the inner wall portion to thehousing.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the moving step comprisesrotating the inner wall portion.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein thecavity farther defines a compartment accommodating at least onecomponent in electrical communication with the electric appliance. 32.The method of claim 31, wherein the component accommodated is a battery.33. The method of claim 28, comprising the further steps of subsequentlymoving the inner wall portion from the second position to disengage theinner wall portion from the housing, removing the detachable wallsection from the housing, and accessing the component-receiving cavity.34. An electric appliance housing, comprising a housing portion having anoncircular cross-section closed by a detachable housing wall section,wherein said housing wall section comprises an outer wall section and aninner wall section rotatably mounted in the outer wall section, andwherein in a closed condition the inner wall section, the housingportion, and the outer wall section are interengaged.
 35. The housing ofclaim 34, wherein the inner wall section comprises at least one armcooperating with a recess on an interior of the housing portion intowhich the arm engages in the closed condition.
 36. The housing of claim34, wherein the inner wall section comprises at least one armcooperating with a frame disposed on the outer wall section into whichthe arm engages in the closed condition.
 37. The housing of claim 35,wherein the housing portion further comprises an elastomeric layerformed on an exterior surface thereof in register with the recess, thelayer being joined to the housing portion in a two-component injectionmolding process.
 38. An electric appliance housing, comprising a housingportion having a noncircular cross-section closed by a detachablehousing wall section, wherein said housing wall section comprises anouter wall section and an inner wall section rotatably mounted in theouter wall section, and wherein the inner wall section and the housingportion comprise a respective latching structure and cooperatinglatch-receiving region.
 39. The housing of claim 38, wherein thelatching structure further comprises a protuberance formed on the innerwall section and the latch-receiving region comprises a detent formed onthe housing portion.